The Mindy Project, Ben and Kate: FOX Orders “Full Seasons”

by Trevor Kimball, October 8, 2012

Despite lackluster ratings, FOX has given “full season” orders to newbie sitcoms The Mindy Project and Ben and Kate. The network ordered nine additional episodes of Mindy, bringing the season total to 22 installments. They ordered just six more installments of Ben and Kate, giving the first season a total of 19 episodes.

The Mindy Projectdebuted with a decent 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 4.67 million total viewers. Week two saw the numbers drop to a 1.9 rating and 3.68 million, a decline of 21% in the demo.

It’s a little strange that FOX would order more episodes after these airings. Perhaps this is an indication that the network either has faith in the new shows, or little faith in their possible replacements.

FOX has picked up six additional episodes of BEN AND KATE and nine additional episodes of THE MINDY PROJECT, bringing both new Tuesday night comedies to full-season orders, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

“BEN AND KATE and THE MINDY PROJECT have everything we want to stand for in comedy: smart writing, hugely appealing casts and comedy that feels contemporary and real – which is why we’re confident they will continue to build on what is already an appointment comedy night for young, influential audiences on Tuesdays,” said Reilly.

In tomorrow’s all-new episode of BEN AND KATE, “The Fox Hunt,” airing Tuesday, Oct. 9, (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, BEN (Nat Faxon) and KATE (Dakota Johnson) discover an unopened envelope from 15 years ago that contains the yearly scavenger hunt their dad used to organize for them when they were kids. The find prompts them to complete the unfinished hunt, with BJ (Lucy Punch), TOMMY (Echo Kellum) and MADDIE’s (Maggie Elizabeth Jones) help, but raises old issues of sibling rivalry. Meanwhile, the scavenger hunt takes an unexpected detour when BJ enlists Kate to help get her belongings back from an old fling.

In the all-new “In The Club” episode of THE MINDY PROJECT airing Tuesday, Oct. 9 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), SHAUNA (Amanda Setton) takes the office to the hottest nightclub in town, where MINDY (Mindy Kaling) meets an unlikely suitor (guest star Tommy Dewey) who works as a lawyer for the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, DANNY (Chris Messina) hits the dance floor, JEREMY (Ed Weeks) hits on a bride-to-be, and MORGAN (guest star Ike Barinholtz) unexpectedly makes some extra cash as the club’s bathroom attendant. Season to date, THE MINDY PROJECT is the No. 1 new comedy among Adults 18-34.

From writer/executive producer Dana Fox (NEW GIRL, “What Happens in Vegas”) and executive producer/director Jake Kasdan (NEW GIRL, “Bad Teacher”), BEN AND KATE follows a pair of odd-couple siblings – one, an overly responsible single mom; the other, an exuberant dreamer – and their friends as they push each other out of their comfort zones and into real life.

BEN AND KATE is produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment. The series is created and written by Dana Fox. The series is executive-produced by Fox, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope and Jake Kasdan. “Like” BEN AND KATE on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/BenandKate. Follow the series on Twitter @BenandKateFOX and join the discussion at #benandkate.

Created and written by Mindy Kaling (“The Office”), THE MINDY PROJECT stars Kaling as a skilled OB/GYN trying to balance both her personal and professional life.

THE MINDY PROJECT is produced by 3 Arts Entertainment in association with Universal Television. The series is created and written by Mindy Kaling. Kaling, Howard Klein (“The Office,” “Parks and Recreation”), Matt Warburton (THE SIMPSONS) and Michael Spillman (“Modern Family”) are executive producers. “Like” THE MINDY PROJECT on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheMindyProject. Follow the series on Twitter @MindyProjectFOX and join the discussion at #themindyproject.

What do you think? Are you surprised by the additional episode orders? Do you think either of these shows will see their ratings go up — or survive to see another season?

I hope Fox has faith in The Mindy Project since it’s going to be one of the best new shows to come out of this fall. I love every episode, and can’t wait to see what happens when Mindy and the crew when they hit the club tonight! I missed last Tuesday’s episode, but caught up with it last night since it was recorded.